THURSDAY, April 5, 2018 -- People who smoke already face a greater risk of illnesses and early death, and a new study suggests their diets aren't doing their health any favors either.

The researchers found that compared to ex-smokers and people who never smoked, tobacco users have diets with a much higher energy density. Smokers consume about 200 more calories a day, despite eating significantly smaller portions.

WEDNESDAY, March 21, 2018 -- Would that ice cold soda be as tempting if you knew that it might shorten your life?

New research found that adults over 45 who drank an average of 24 ounces or more of sugar-sweetened beverages every day had more than double the risk of dying from heart disease over a 6-year study period than those who averaged an ounce or less of sugar-sweetened beverages daily.

TUESDAY, March 20, 2018 -- Bacon lovers, a new study has some bad news for you: Eating a lot of processed and red meats may up your odds for a serious liver condition and insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes.

The study found that people who consumed the highest amounts of red and processed meats had nearly a 50 percent increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and more than a 50 percent higher risk of developing insulin resistance.

THURSDAY, March 15, 2018 -- Coffee has been tied to many health benefits. Now, a small study suggests a daily java habit may affect the body's metabolism more extensively than thought.

The study, of 47 adults, found that heavy coffee consumption -- four to eight cups a day -- altered blood levels of more than 100 metabolites. That refers to a broad range of chemicals that change after eating or drinking.

FRIDAY, Feb. 23, 2018 -- Antioxidants -- it's a hot nutrition buzzword, but do you know what they really are?

Antioxidants are naturally occurring chemicals that block the activity of other chemicals called free radicals. Free radicals are formed naturally in the body and actually play an important role in many everyday processes, such as exercise and metabolism. But at high concentrations, they can be hazardous to your health, with the potential to cause cell damage that could lead to cancer.